Red Sox offseason 2013: Keep him or let him go?

While the euphoria of a World Series championship lingers, general manager Ben Cherington and the Red Sox management group must face the reality that is the offseason, and the decisions that come with it. The Red Sox didn’t waste time with one decision, picking up their option on pitcher Jon Lester for next season.

Still, they face several more. Here’s a review of the players in question, with your chance to vote if they should be kept or let go.
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Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Stephen Drew

Status: Free agent

Keep him because: His defense is above-average, and he’s likely the best-available free agent shortstop on the market.

Let him go because: He was mired in a dreadful slump throughout the postseason (.111 batting average) and he hit only .253 during the regular season. Plus, letting him go would clear the way for rookie Xander Bogaerts to become the full-time shortstop.

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Jacoby Ellsbury

Status: Free agent

Keep him because: He’s one of the best players in Major League Baseball, with a career .297 average and 241 stolen bases. His likely replacement in center field, Jackie Bradley Jr., showed he was not quite ready for prime time in 2013.

Let him go because: He’ll be extremely expensive and he wants a long-term deal. The Red Sox could also decide to give Bradley Jr. his shot at the full-time job.

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Jim Rogash/Getty

Joel Hanrahan

Status: Free agent

Keep him because: An injury early in the season that required Tommy John surgery prevented Hanrahan from showing his full potential as the Red Sox’ closer. He could be retained as a bullpen option, although he won’t be ready until after the season starts.

Let him go because: The Red Sox have a reliable closer in Koji Uehara.

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David J. Phillip/AP

Mike Napoli

Status: Free agent

Keep him because: Napoli was a key cog in the World Series championship team. In addition to some big hits, he was also an excellent fit in the clubhouse as the team developed its winning chemistry, and many believe he should have been a finalist for a Gold Glove award.

Let him go because: He was fourth in the majors in strikeouts and batted only .259 in the regular season.

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Jamie Squire/Getty

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Status: Free agent

Keep him because: He has power (14 home runs) and he set a team record for doubles by a catcher (40). Also drove in 65 runs.

Let him go because: He struggles to throw out base-stealers (24 caught, 89 allowed in 2013), strikes out a lot (second on team in 2013) and he was outplayed by backup David Ross in the World Series.

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Charles Krupa/AP

Andrew Bailey

Status: Arbitration-eligible

Keep him because: The relief pitcher has always had promise, but injuries have limited him from returning to the form that won him the rookie of the year award in 2009. He averaged 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings in30 appearances in 2013.

Let him go because: He’s been injury prone the last two seasons and won’t be ready to play until July following shoulder surgery during the summer.

Keep him because: He’s a top lefthanded relief specialist with a 96 mph fastball. His ERA was 2.64 in 37 appearances before a foot injury ended his season.

Let him go because: The Red Sox have three other lefthanded options in the bullpen in Franklin Morales, Drake Britton, and Craig Breslow.

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Jared Wickerham/Getty

Franklin Morales

Status: Arbitration-eligible

Keep him because: He’s a steady lefthanded arm in the bullpen who was limited by injuries in 2013.

Let him go because: He had an ERA of 4.62 in 20 appearances in 2013, and opponents batted .255 against him. While he was on the postseason roster, he made only three appearances.

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Jessica Rinaldi for The Boston Globe

Mike Carp

Status: Arbitration-eligible

Keep him because: He can play outfield and first base, and batted .296 with 43 RBIs in 86 games in 2013.

Let him go because: There are many options for bench players on the free agent market or elsewhere.

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Junichi Tazawa

Status: Arbitration-eligible

Keep him because: He played an important role as the late-inning setup man out of the bullpen. The righty had a 3.16 ERA in 71 appearances with 72 strikeouts and only 12 walks.

Let him go because: Opponents batted .265 against him and he gave up the most home runs of any reliever (9).

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